Defense files 2 motions targeting slain toddler's parents

De'Marquise Elkins accused of killing Antonio Santiago

BRUNSWICK, Ga. - The day before the teen accused of killing a 1-year-old child will go before a judge to ask for bond, Channel 4 has obtained two new motions filed by the defense.

They target the parents of the slain toddler, Antonio Santiago.

One motion suggests Santiago's mother Sherry West's history of mental illness makes her an unreliable witness against 17-year-old De'Marquise Elkins (pictured, below), one of two teens charged with murder in the boy's shooting death.

The other motion asks for information on any deals made with Louis Santiago, the boy's father, and disclosure of any known associates and connection between Santiago and Wilfredo Calix-Flores, a victim in a prior shooting in which Elkins is now charged.

The defense says Santiago is or was an informant for an unnamed law enforcement agency. Attorneys also say Santiago has a history of domestic abuse and point to a 2002 arrest in Camden County.

All this comes as the community was coming together Thursday night for a town hall meeting to address issues and concerns about the investigation.

At Chef Joel and Company, the case has been a topic of discussion. That's why owner Joel Colon is looking forward to what comes from the town hall meeting and getting answers to serious questions.

"What are we doing to prevent a future situation like that happening?" Colon said. "Where did this young man get a gun? Why was a young man at that age hanging around at 10 o'clock in the morning, not in school, not in a program, with a gun?"